‘Exceptional' Belong Crewe named national winners at Great British Care Awards

Compassionate Crewe carers, at Belong on Brookhouse Drive, have been announced as winners of the Palliative Carer Award at this year's Great British Care Awards.

The award recognises their outstanding work supporting their customers during their end of life, as well as in their sensitivity meeting the needs of family members.

Led by Fern Yarnwood, lead senior support worker, the dedicated ten strong team at the not-for-profit dementia specialist's Britannia House took home the prestigious national award, having already won the closely fought North West regional distinction. 

Speaking of their decision, the judging panel comprising independent industry professionals, said: "The team go above and beyond to ensure their end-of-life care is the best it can be." Providing examples, including Britannia's thoughtful memory boxes full of photos and a signed card to families when their loved one has passed, they continued: "These little steps make their palliative care exceptional, and much deserving of this accolade."

The colleagues work within one of six ‘households' at Belong Crewe, with each providing 24-hour care to small cohorts of residents who share open plan kitchen, dining and living spaces, creating family-sized communities in the wider village. Carers meet their needs, including specialist dementia and nursing care, whilst supporting them to live an active later life with a comprehensive programme of activities and experiences.

This year, the award category is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as it continues to help fill vacancies across the adult social care sector and encourage people to explore the many rewarding roles within care at leading providers, like Belong.

Sharon Haigh, community support worker at the organisation's Belong at Home service, also made the national finals shortlist for the Home Care Worker award. Meanwhile, a number of the Belong Crewe colleagues achieved regional shortlisting places for awards in dementia care, nursing, and activity provision.

Cheryl Davies, general manager at Belong Crewe, said: "We're thrilled for the Britannia team for being named Palliative Carer of the year. As the judges recognised, their work helping our customers to live comfortably and with dignity at their end of their lives, really is truly exceptional - congratulations!"

Last year, Belong Crewe was reaccredited the Gold Standards Framework Platinum status for end-of-life care. It is one of only two care providers in Cheshire to hold the certification - the other being sister village, Belong Macclesfield.

The Britannia team at Belong Crewe, recipients of the national Palliative Carer Award, Great British Care Awards 2023:

• Fern Yarwood, lead senior support worker
• Lauren Drummond
• Chelsea Hinett
• Abbey Mason
• Jackie May
• Paige O'Neil
• Louise Pepper
• Kelsie Proudlove
• Darren Robinson
• Karen Taylor

Belong Limited is a charitable organisation, operating villages with a range of care, housing and support options for older people, as well as extensive amenities in the village centre. These include bistro, hair salon, specialist exercise studio and function rooms. People can choose to live independently in a Belong apartment or within a supported 24-hour care environment.

Belong specialises in supporting people with dementia, and 24-hour care is provided in extended family-sized households, with modern open plan layouts specially designed around the needs of people with dementia. All employees working in Belong villages are trained in dementia awareness, from domestic assistants through to bistro staff. The organisation is also a registered domiciliary provider and can support people in their own home, through its Belong at Home service.

There are eight Belong villages in Atherton, Chester, Crewe, Didsbury, Macclesfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wigan and Warrington, with two more under construction in Birkdale and Wirral.

For more information, see: 

www.belong.org.uk